ATI RN
Multiple Choice Questions About Respiratory System Questions
Question 1 of 5
The nurse is assessing a patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Which assessment finding indicates a potential complication and requires the nurse's immediate attention?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: Distended neck veins. This finding indicates potential right-sided heart failure, a complication of COPD called cor pulmonale. The nurse should address this immediately to prevent further deterioration. Distended neck veins suggest increased central venous pressure and impaired right heart function. Left lower quadrant tenderness (B) is unrelated to COPD. Urinary output of 40 mL/hr (C) is within normal range. Excessive coughing (D) is a common symptom of COPD but does not indicate an immediate complication.
Question 2 of 5
A nurse in a medical unit is caring for a client with heart failure. The client suddenly develops extreme dyspnea,tachycardia and lung crackles. The nurse immediately asks another nurse to contact the primary health care provider and prepares to implement ALL priority interventions EXCEPT?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Rationale: Option C, transporting the client to the coronary care unit, is not the priority intervention because the client is presenting with acute pulmonary edema, a sign of worsening heart failure. Administering oxygen (Option A) is crucial to improve oxygenation. Administering furosemide (Option B) helps reduce fluid overload. Obtaining a stat Hepatic Panel (Option D) may be necessary to assess liver function due to medication side effects. However, immediate actions to address respiratory distress and tachycardia take precedence over moving the client to another unit.
Question 3 of 5
When CO2 diffuses into blood in systemic capillaries most of it:
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C because the majority of CO2 diffusing into blood combines with water inside red blood cells (RBC) to form carbonic acid, which then dissociates into bicarbonate ions and hydrogen ions. This reaction is facilitated by the enzyme carbonic anhydrase. This process allows for efficient transport of CO2 in the bloodstream. Choices A and B are incorrect as CO2 primarily undergoes conversion to bicarbonate ions, not remaining in solution as CO2 or forming carbamino compounds. Option D is incorrect as CO2 does not directly combine with hemoglobin.
Question 4 of 5
You are up very high where barometric pressure is 447 mmHg. What is the partial pressure of oxygen in the air up there?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C (80 mmHg) because the partial pressure of oxygen in the air is directly proportional to the percentage of oxygen in the air. In the atmosphere, oxygen makes up approximately 21% of the air. Therefore, to calculate the partial pressure of oxygen, you would multiply the total barometric pressure by the percentage of oxygen (0.21). So, 447 mmHg x 0.21 = 94.07 mmHg. This is the partial pressure of oxygen at sea level. To find the partial pressure of oxygen at a higher altitude, you would consider the decrease in total barometric pressure. At 447 mmHg, the partial pressure of oxygen would be around 80 mmHg. Summary: A: Incorrect because it is too low. B: Incorrect because it is too low. D: Incorrect because it is too high.
Question 5 of 5
A male patient has a sucking stab wound to the chest. Which action should the nurse take first?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B. Applying a dressing over the wound and taping it on three sides should be done first to prevent air from entering the wound and causing a tension pneumothorax. This action helps stabilize the wound and minimizes the risk of further complications. Drawing blood for hematocrit and hemoglobin (A) is not the priority in this situation. Chest tube insertion (C) and starting an IV line (D) can be necessary interventions but are not the immediate priority in managing a sucking chest wound.